Gastrointestinal Surgery

Yoshiharu Sakai, M.D., Ph.D. Professor

Our division has an international reputation for its surgical expertise, especially for minimal invasive (endoscopic / robotic) approach to gastrointestinal malignancies; esophageal, gastric, colorectal carcinomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We also target benign diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and achalasia. Our goal is to offer the finest-quality endoscopic/robotic surgeries for the benefit of patients, based on the rigorous surgical training, as well as multi-disciplinary treatment integrating knowledge from sturdy basic surgical research.

Research and Education

Major research interests are as follows; 1) molecular biological analysis of gastrointestinal carcinomas including stem cell biology, 2) physiological assessment of postoperative gastrointestinal function, 3) development of new imaging system to unveil and understand more detailed surgical anatomy, 4) development of novel surgical procedures and surgical instruments, 5) active involvement in the multi-institutional clinical trials to evaluate outcome of the surgical treatments.
Endoscopic operations have provided the clear, magnified view even in the narrowest of the human body space and contributed to disclose the surgical anatomy. The precise recognition of surgical anatomy is absolutely mandatory to perform radical operations for cancers, avoiding neural damages and preserving functions. In addition, firm basic research will provide a scientific rationale for surgical therapy. A new surgical therapy must be further evaluated in well-designed clinical studies.
It is critical for surgical trainees to study surgical science as well as to obtain a good skill. We are confident that our program provides both of these in the finest quality.